JTF finds Boko Haram arms, graves, bunker and tunnels

Some shocking discoveries have been made in Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital that is the engine -room of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Order II, found mass graves, tunnels and bunkers in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

JTF spokesman Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa showed reporters shallow graves, tunnels and bunkers at Bulabulin Nganaram yesterday. He said Boko Haram men who died in gun battles with security troops were buried in the graves.

Around the shallow graves in the open field were decomposing bodies and human bones. There was a big bunker where the JTF said it discovered a cache of weapons. The bunker, according to the JTF, was dug behind a two-bedroom apartment, making residents to believe it was a sewage pit. There were also tuunels, which are believed to have served as passage for the insurgents from their hideouts.

Bulabulin Nganaram is believed to be the main stronghold of the insurgents.

The JTF, in a statement by Col Musa, said: “The Joint Task Force (JTF) between 3-8 July, 2013 dislodged Boko Haram terrorists from their main enclave in Bulabulin Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja areas of Maiduguri metropolis.

“During the encounter, some terrorists were killed in the fire fight, including the main Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram (who was on the wanted list of the JTF with a ten million naira bounty). He was responsible for the killing of a teacher and three students of Sanda Karami Secondary School, Ruwan Zafi Maiduguri. Many abducted women, girls and children were rescued and handed over to their families by the Task Force.

“During the search of the areas, many arms and ammunition of various calibres buried in houses and cemeteries were recovered. Decomposing corpses of those killed by the terrorists were also found in soak-away and mass graves of terrorists killed. Troops also discovered vast network mouse-holes linking compounds and underground tunnels as well as bunkers under houses. Troops are still searching the area for more weapons, ammunition and mass graves. The JTF uses this opportunity to appeal to members of the public for support and more information on terrorists’ activities.”

Despite Boko Haram leader Imam Shekau’s denial, the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North insisted yesterday that the ceasefire negotiation with the sect is still on course.

The committee said Nigerians should expect “something positive” before the end of the week.

It, however, said it would not take up issues with Shekau in order not to lose focus.

A member of the committee, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, insisted that the committee had made progress in its negotiation with Boko Haram.

The source said: “The ceasefire negotiation is still on course; there is no going back. Before the end of the week, something positive will come up that will vindicate our claim that we are negotiating.

“We do not want to counter what Imam Shekau said, but before the end of the week, there will be something positive.”

Asked to clear the air on Shekau’s denial of ceasefire, the source said: “We doubt indeed if Shekau made that statement. And if he did, we are raising these issues: Do they know Mohammed Marwana or not who was the person we met with?

Has anyone come out to say that Marwana is not a member of Boko Haram?

Has anyone disputed the position of the Deputy Leader of Boko Haram which Marwana claimed he is occupying?”

The source stressed that neither the Chairman of the committee nor any of its members said they met Shekau. “We had talks with Marwana, who represented the group,” he said, adding:

“The Boko Haram leadership up till now has not disowned Marwana, who also defended the sect last week that it was not behind the killing of 36 students in a secondary school in Mamudo in Yobe State. Marawana told us that Boko Haram members were not behind the gruesome killings. The sect has also corroborated Marwana’s position.

“If Marwana is not a member or one of the leaders of the sect, Boko Haram leadership would have disowned him by now. In March, one Abdulazeez said he was speaking for Boko Haram and his claim was swiftly dismissed.

“So, we will not take up issues with Shekau because if we do, we will now leave substance and begin to chase the shadow.

“We do not want anything that could derail our ongoing talks with Boko Haram.”

On the claim by the Defence Headquarters that it was not involved in ceasefire negotiation, the source said it was not yet time for Defence to be involved.

“This committee does not report to the Chief of Defence Staff or any of the service chiefs. We are expected to report to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who will then decide on how the military and other security agencies should be involved,” the source said.

Good job by JTF keep it up. I want you people to catch the leader alive

miye

The civilian JTF also deserves kudos.

http://thenationonlineng.net IYK JAMES

The major problem with you guys in the government is *basket mouth* why not do you negotiation with the sect secretly and after a positive conclusion you can then come out and surprise Nigerians. We are fed up wit your lies and empty promises regarding ceasefire

ANAYAMANI G.D. OWEI

Kudos to JTF, for job well done, to discovered where they hide their ammunitions is a deserved development, on the security of all Nigerians residing the north. They should put more efforts in their fight, I have not seen anywhere, terrorists over powering government. Ours, should not be an exception. I added.

adedamola bashir

we knew the denial of ceasefire by shekau was a crooked statements spread by false propagandists which does not hold any water

bayelsa man

what and, where were they – the security agencies- when these terrorists were engaged in these massive nefarious activities?

Garden city magazine

Nice job by the jtf, keep it up…

Barde Luka

Committee! You guys want to show as though you’re working, we know your works, you are niether cold nor hot. Deceiving yourselves

idris

May Allah help the JTF and expose Boko Haram more and I know very soon they will end like story.

http://Google Coco

May Christ strengthens u to continue serching out their strongholds until they surrender.I can see,they cant if not disarmed.

Survivor survivor

Kudos to jtf l also want u people to keep on searching & with God’s help when u handicap them by living them without arm they must surely surrender,,,,, job well done by jtf

anonymous

Imam Shekau would be a free man if captured alive via our courts and our corrupt police system,he has a powerfulbacking and after all he is fighting jihad which is accepted in islam.Don’t be deceived

Ibn Kaseer

but he will not be free in the Almighty’s Court

usman

killing of children, civilians and bombing religious houses is not how jihad is fought in islam,,,, boko haram are commiting murder and they will all go to hell,,,,

Nnanyelugo Ifeanyi F.

Indeed I’m elated by the level of progress made so far by our gallant JTF operatives.I doff my fedora cap in honour to them for the marvelous jobs they’re doing.May God grant them the fortitude to sustain the tempo.I’m proud of them every day .

Chillipepper

All those doubting thomases, from the highest to the lowest are the secret accomplices of Boko Haram who are reaping immense fortune from the endless carnage.They do not mean well for the country. Come to think of it, these people involved in the war would not like the end of insecurity. Whenever there is a sign of light at the end of the tunnel, they bring out one new thing to truncate it. By so doing, the honey continues flowing into their bowls. This is just it. Read between the lines and see that those pppsed to positive steps are those aggrevating the prolem for their selfish ends. The comment of “Shekau” was not publicised until the secret major sponsor of Boko Haraam raised doubt about the cease fire agreement. Why should sentiments blindfold Nigerians?

bassey

this phase of life will be consigned to history but all flesh are accountable to the maker regardless of creed or whatever.

Nnanyelugo Ifeanyi F.

As for the members of the committee set up to negociate and dialougue with the sect,let me say that they’re doing a laudable work and they should keep it up.Dialougue is the best option and only it can guarantee lasting solution.Let ‘em not be fazed

Ukah Augustine Obaah

Good progress! ceasefire negotiations are the preview of the commander-in-Chief and he alone decides who negotiates, and give orders to appropriate quarters.

bassey

This phase of life we are passing through will be history with time. sponsors, perpetrators and benefactors must face their MAKER to whom all flesh must come.

Chillipepper

You’re right, Bassey, including those opposed to positive steps taken or doubting landmark achievents that could lead to isolating Shekau!

Uyi Osaretin

My God have mercy on Nigeria.

dayo temi

Accept the Lord Jesus today, the end is at hand, let him who sheds blood cease as the day of reckoning is near. A day is coming when all you have done in the flesh will be laid bare and you will give account. The Lord is at the door of your heart knocking, open for him today. Your past can always be washed away, His blood is still very much effective to cleans you from all you have committed as crime.

Joshua Tangent

The Chairman of the Amnesty Committee should be fired and the Committee disbanded for attempting to deceive Nigerians and make money our of the situation. This is typical of the average Nigerian government official that considers every situation as an opportunity to make money from government. The issues are simple but we have decided to make them more complex. The basis of the existence of this country is based on falsehood and unless it is addressed the problem will linger and fester. The Boko Haram Leaders has been consistence on their demands from day one and in our usual self deception we have refused to listen to home. Shekaus’s position is in tandem with the fact that we have a cash cow as a Country that is based on falsehood and all the elite who are benefiting from the situation do not want those issues addressed. This is food for thought for all right thinking Nigerians.

oduwa

nice comment today, may be the children are nt here….Jtf weldone keep talking and educating d people of d affected areas so that they wil help wit more imformation that wil expose d boko haram. d forum is aweet today.

Benjamin Etim

It is quite shameful what is happening in rivers state house of assembly

Ammar

Media propoganda by nigeria security.

Morrison

You cant kill a tree by cutting the leaves n branches but by cuttin the ROOTS which supply food to the leaves n branches.

Mota Gur

The people living in that area and populace of the country needs security orientation,how on earth can a criminal group construct these tunnels and graves in secrecy without a single person,s detecting or informing the police.police does not work in isolation sucessfully. In Europe a dig in your compound can warrant a police arrest,but the qeustion remains how will the police know,wiyhout a tip off?

Mona

Please, the presidential committee on BOKO HARAM should better quit the negotiation table. the ceasefire thing and amnesty they are out there to bargain for is no longer a viable means of resolving the insurgency. They should go back and report to our Presido jonathan that the JOINT TASK FORCE is on top of the situation in the NORTH.

We no longer want to hear about ceasefire and all this forms of negotiation with BOKO HARAM and NON-BOKO HARAM members. How do we even identify a member of BOKO HARAM? Any Nigerian can simply get up and claim membership and we they are there talking about negotiation.

Ans

Turaki and co,if Marwana faction are not the ones that carried out the killings in mamudo, then you
are talking with the wrong people. It could mean you are positioning Marwana to collect money that
will be shared thereafter.

abdulsalami ibrahim

The FG banned boko haram and they are still negotiating with them.What a contradiction???

weco

alqueda is the usa fault becouse of their attack on muslims,alshabab is the somalian fault,xinjiang terrorist please blame that on china,janjaweed terrorist yes sudan ignite the problem,ppkk islamist is couse by pakistan government,hamas militant is in retaliation for islaeri agresion,boko haram is gej stratergise for 2025! egypt,libya,mali,waziristan,yamen,admutallab,shekau,muktada,elbashir….oh yes gej is the cause!!!
quality excuses,go on and on with your killing,your reasons sre genuine and understood ok? religion of peace.